The Tupac Hologram's Tuesday News and Views

On September 13, 1996, Tupac Amaru Shakur's life tragically ended after the Mike Tyson—Bruce Seldon boxing match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. On April 15, 2012, Tupac returned as a hologram image during the final performance on the Coachella music festival's biggest stage. The make-believe 'Pac performed 'Hail Mary' and '2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted' with a live Snoop Dogg to end the three-day music and arts festival in Indio, California. Watch it here, in case you somehow missed it on Monday: Rap fan or not, you have to be pretty amazed by the technology that went into recreating the slain hip-hop artist as a holographic projection. It all began as a vision by Dr. Dre, and then his idea was staged and produced at Coachella by San Diego-based AV Concepts. Oscar-winning CG factory Digital Domain, the same company that produced CG images of Brad Pitt in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and Jeff Bridges in "TRON: Legacy," created the lifelike image of Tupac in a process that took almost four months of studio work. A spokesperson for the company wouldn't reveal the price tag for the hologram, but said similar projects cost between $100,000 and $400,000. With all the Internet buzz surrounding fake Tupac and the Coachella finale, I fully expect to see the Tupac hologram on tour by next summer. And sadly, I will purchase a ticket. Now your news and views, in standard KSR blog template definition...  Tuesday is the day we've all been dreading, when we learn the basketball fates of Kentucky's five superstar underclassmen. Marquis Teague, Doron Lamb, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Terrence Jones, and Anthony Davis will hold a joint press conference at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday to announce their intentions for next season. The presser will be the final time we see these young men in front of the UK media, as all are expected to declare for this summer's NBA Draft. These 'goodbye' press conferences are something we're all getting used to in the three years under John Calipari, and this one certainly won't be the last time we see UK underclassmen run off to become millionaires, but tomorrow is special because this is the group that brought a title back to Kentucky for the first time in 14 years. Instead of mourning their departures, be happy to see this group move on to achieve their dreams.  A look at NBADraft.net's projections: 1.) Anthony Davis, Charlotte 3.) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, New Orleans 18.) Doron Lamb, Denver 20.) Terrence Jones, Atlanta 27.) Marquis Teague, Golden State 35.) Darius Miller, Cleveland Hopefully, Darius can move up and join his teammates in the first round.  One guy who won't be moving on from Kentucky this summer is assistant coach Kenny Payne. An article in his hometown Hattiesburg newspaper said Payne is content working behind the scenes with John Calipari and enjoying being a mentor to the top talent UK brings in. Payne is on the early list of candidates for the Southern Miss job and some think Louisville might throw an offer his way, but for now, he's going to continue to play sidekick to Calipari in Lexington. As I'm sure you're aware, Payne has played a huge role in recruiting since he joined the staff two years ago.  There isn't much noise coming from the Anthony Bennett newswire. He still plans to take five visits over the coming weeks and then announce in mid-May. Assuming Amile Jefferson ends up somewhere in North Carolina, Kentucky has to get Bennett to fill out the roster. Bennett is a must.  If anyone of you are still following the recruitment of Tony Parker, you'll be happy to know he will announce his decision next week at his high school in Georgia. The former UK target will decide between Duke, Memphis, Kansas, Georgia, Ohio State and UCLA, with the Bruins, Dawgs, and Blue Devils owning most of the buzz. If he goes to UCLA, the Bruins will pass Kentucky as the No. 1 recruiting class in 2012, at least for the time being. If he picks Georgia, we'll have to watch him play at least twice next season. If he goes to Duke, he'll have to pretend to be friends with the Plumlees. I vote for Duke.  The 2012 Pulitzer Prize winners were announced on Monday. We did not win.  The annual Blue/White Spring Football Game is set for this Saturday at 6:00 p.m at Commonwealth Stadium. Admission and parking are free on a first-come, first serve basis, so arrive early if you want a good seat and a short walk from your vehicle. The red, blue, and green parking lots open up at 8:00 a.m. and fans are invited to tailgate before the event. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.  Joker Phillips being featured on "Conversations With Champions," a KET program hosted by Billy Reed. The 30-minute conversation with Joker will air at the following times: Monday, April 16 at 2 p.m. on KET3 (I guess we missed that one) Tuesday, April 17 at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on KET 3 Friday, April 20 at 11 a.m. on KET3 Thursday, April 26 at 7 a.m. on KET3 Monday, April 30 at 4 a.m. on KET1  Speaking of champions on television, did anyone see the series finale of Eastbound & Down? It was pretty disappointing, as was the rest of the season. Season 3 really crapped the bed and would've been a complete bomb if not for Shane Dog in the first few episodes. I'm heartbroken by the demise of Kenny Powers.  Don't look now, but Daniel Orton's NBA career is on the rise. Orton made his first start since high school for Orlando on Monday night in place of the injured Dwight Howard and he finished with six points and six rebounds in the win. As Beisner pointed out on Twitter, a lot of guys have earned a second contract by playing well at the right time, and Orton could end up being one of those guys. Orton has a great opportunity to prove he deserves a spot in the league, especially with Howard's status unknown in this final stretch.  On the women's side of things, Lexington native Nataile Novosel was selected eighth overall in the WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. That's right about where Chris Thomas had the Notre Dame star going in his mock draft. Good call, Chris.  A bit of sad news from Kentucky basketball world: Layton "Mickey" Rouse, the first UK player to have his jersey retired, passed away over the weekend at the age of 93. Rouse played from 1938-40 under Adolph Rupp and earned All-SEC Player of the Year in his final season in Lexington. After basketball, he practiced dentistry for 40 years in Carrolton and retired in 1982.  Don't forget about the KSTV Casting Call, which begins this Saturday in Florence, KY. You can scroll down for all the details and I encourage every to come out and give it a shot, even if you doubt your abilities. It's a fun day and a fun experience for all who participate. See you there.